Mitch Johnson to Coach 2026 NBA All-Star Game, Marking a New Era for San Antonio Spurs
The momentum building in San Antonio this season now has national recognition. Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson has officially been named head coach of the Western Conference for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, becoming just the second coach in franchise history to receive the honor — and the first since Gregg Popovich took the role a decade ago in 2016.
Johnson’s selection reflects the Spurs’ return to form. At 33-16, San Antonio currently holds the third-best record in the NBA as of early February 2026. It’s the team’s best 49-game start since the 2016-17 season, when the Spurs went 61-21 overall.
Defensively, the Spurs rank among the league’s elite. According to NBA statistics, San Antonio is:
- 2nd in opponent second-chance points allowed
- 2nd in fast break points allowed
- 4th in opponent field goal percentage
- 7th in total opponent points per game
- 3rd in defensive rating (111.4)
Offensively, the Spurs have also been consistent, scoring 100 or more points in 46 of 49 games this season. From the season opener on October 22 through January 11, they maintained a 39-game streak of 100+ point performances — the second-longest such streak in the league during that time frame.
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The team has excelled under pressure, ranking third in the NBA for clutch wins with 17 victories in close games, and posting a 124.8 offensive rating in those moments — also third-best in the league. These "clutch" stats, as defined by the NBA, reflect games within five points in the final five minutes of play.
Johnson was also named Western Conference Coach of the Month for December 2025, a recognition of the Spurs’ continued upward trajectory.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game — the 75th in league history — will take place on Sunday, February 15 at 4 p.m. CT. Johnson will coach the Western Conference All-Stars, following in the footsteps of Spurs legend Gregg Popovich, who last coached the All-Star team in 2016.
As San Antonio continues its strong 2025-26 campaign, this latest milestone not only honors Johnson’s leadership but also reflects a renewed competitive energy in the Spurs organization — and a reason for local fans to rally behind a team that’s clearly on the rise.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.